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CMS punts Arkansas' request to scale back Medicaid expansion

Modern Healthcare: The CMS on Monday refused to approve Arkansas' request to roll back its Medicaid expansion. However, the agency approved the state's proposal to impose work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries.

In a letter to state officials, the federal agency said it would not allow Arkansas to cut Medicaid eligibility "at this time." The state sought to scale back eligibility to residents earning 100% of the federal poverty level, or approximately $12,000 for an individual or $24,500 for a family of four. If approved, the move would have cut up to 61,000 beneficiaries from the program, according to state estimates.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma said the request was still under consideration, but the agency wanted to move forward and approve other parts of the waiver while it reviews the eligibility provision.

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